Things that matter and make a difference rarely happen overnight.  

Whether it’s our dream to start a movement or our desire to fix a character flaw, it takes plotting, planning, prayer, sweat, sometimes tears…and then you actually have to DO.

That’s the part a lot of us forget. We dream or make resolutions and we talk, talk, talk but we never do.

My friend Alece is a dreamer who does, and below you will find out (if you haven’t already heard) about One Word 365.  Sometimes one of the best ways to “do” is to ask people to help us— so I want to ask you all to help me with my word for this year: KIND.

Should we run into each other and I am mean to you, just wink or do a Newsies-style heel kick (see min 1:01)  and say, “365, Joy,” and I’ll know what you’re talking about. Might seem simple, but not only do I want to treat everyone with kindness publicly, but privately as well.

I want to internally have a spirit of kindness towards people and have kind thoughts…NOT EASY. This is something you won’t be able to heel kick and call me out on because you don’t have a chip implanted in my brain. Only God knows my heart and mind, but know that this is my prayer and goal—ask me how it’s going!!

And we can heel kick together because that’s just a fun thing to do.

What’s your word?

It’s Not About Doing More

By: Alece Ronzino

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I’ve lived most of my life by shoulds. Growing up, I was the all-American good girl. I did well in school. I went on mission trips. I moved to Africa as a missionary when I was 19. I did everything “right”. By the book. The way I wassupposed to, expected to, told to. The way I should.

But the treadmill of striving is exhausting. If only I could do more… If only I could do better… Yet for every should I manage to check off, more get added to the list. It’s a vicious cycle of defeat.

In my painful journey of the past few years, I realized how badly I needed to stop should-ing on myself. And I discovered how challenging it can be to get off that treadmill.

One of the ways I’ve found some freedom from the shoulds has been by ditching New Year’s Resolutions. I used to make a long list of goals I’d like to achieve in the new year, but never managed to live up to them (or, at times, even remember what they were).

It only left me feeling like a failure.

So I began choosing just one word as I step into a new year. One word that sums up who I want to be or an attribute I want to intentionally add to my life.

And since it’s just one word, it’s easy to remember. I place reminders of it around my home and workspace, and I inevitably start seeing and hearing it everywhere, which helps me stay mindful of it.

My one word isn’t another to-do list. It’s simply a guide as I make decisions, set plans, and go about my every day.

And I’ve seen these words shape not only my year, but also myself. They’ve challenged me, inspired me, changed me. Such is the power of intentionality.

I’ve chosen brave as my One Word for 2014, and with equal parts trepidation and curiosity, I am anxious to see how it will grow me this coming year.

Will you join me in choosing one word for the year? It’s not about doing more, but about being who you were created to be.

You’ll probably have a love/hate relationship with your word. That’s okay. If it doesn’t scare you at least a little bit, it’s probably not the right word.

So… Together, let’s stop should-ing on ourselves.

What do you want to focus on in 2014? Who do you want to be by the end of the year?

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ONE WORD 365 in the NEWS!

WSMV Channel 4

Can’t see the video? Click HERE.

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After pioneering and leading a nonprofit in South Africa for 13 years, Alece now lives in Nashville, TN. She is a Nonprofit Communications & Development Strategist and the founder of One Word 365. She blogs occasionally but candidly about searching for God in the question marks of life and faith. Follow Alece on Twitter and visit her blog, Grit and Glory.

Join the global One Word 365 tribe HERE. Check them out on Facebook HERE. Follow One Word on Twitter HERE.

Oh, and be sure to check out the amazing Illumination post Alece wrote for me about a man who abused the word “respect” HERE.